Quick and easy Christmas tree brownies are just as easy to make as they are fun to eat.
Make brownie Christmas trees with a box of brownie mix, a tub of frosting, and decorations of your choice to make festive, tree-shaped brownie pops with a candy cane trunk.
Make These Easy Christmas Tree Brownies Because…
- Super chewy, fudgy chocolate brownies are a hit at any gathering and the recipe can be customized with candy to match the occasion.
- This easy recipe will become a holiday tradition the kids will look forward to every year.
- Christmas tree brownies are the perfect addition to cookie decorating parties, to share at a potluck, or to take to a bake sale.
- Bake a batch (or two!) of brownies ahead and freeze them uncut so when you’re ready to decorate, simply thaw, cut, and have fun!
Ingredients
Brownie Mix – Any store-bought brand of brownie mix works in this recipe. Other brownie flavors to try are Reese’s peanut butter, chocolate turtle, butterscotch, or triple fudge.
Frosting – A simple tub of frosting and some green food coloring are all you need to make the pine needles. Swirl, spread, or use piping tips to make open stars if you like. You can use homemade peppermint buttercream frosting if you want a firmer frosting.
Tree Trunks – The trunk is optional, but makes it easier to hold onto. Besides candy canes, you can use pretzel rods or skewers.
Decorating Ideas – Anything goes! Colorful sprinkles, silver and gold dragees, crushed peppermint candies, and red or green colored sugar are great ideas to start with.
How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies
- Bake brownies per box instructions and cool completely.
- Cut brownies (images above). You should have 15, (plus some edges for snacking).
- Mix green food coloring into the tub of frosting.
- Decorate Christmas trees with frosting, sprinkles, and a candy cane trunk, if desired.
Tips for Success!
- If you don’t have an 8×8 pan, bake brownies in a 9” cake pan and cut the triangles like a pizza. Trim the bottoms so they’re straight and snack on the crispy brown edges!
- Avoid overbaking the brownies, you want them to stay chewy once they’re cooled, and be sure they are cooled completely before cutting.
- A plastic knife or a bench scraper sprayed with pan release will make the cleanest cuts. Cut from straight above instead of dragging the knife through the brownies.
- Insert the trunk before frosting the brownies so the frosting stays nice and neat.
- A small sandwich baggie with a corner cut from the bottom makes an excellent piping bag and is easy for little hands to hold onto.
Storing Christmas Tree Brownies
Keep Christmas tree brownies in a covered container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze decorated brownies by placing them on a baking sheet and transferring them to a zippered bag once frozen. They can be frozen for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature.
More Christmas Treats
Did you make these Christmas Tree Brownies? Leave a comment and a rating below.
Christmas Tree Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16.3 ounce brownie mix 1 box, plus oil and eggs as directed on package
- 16 ounce vanilla frosting 1 tub
- green food coloring
- sprinkles or candy for decorating
- small candy cane sticks optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Line an 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment.
- Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake according to package directions until set. Allow brownies to cool in pan for 15 minutes. Use the parchment to transfer brownies to a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely.
- Once fully cooled, cut the brownies into three rows. Cut those rows at an angle to form 5 triangles per row (there will be an odd shape at each end – save these for snacking).
- Add 4 drops of green food coloring to the frosting. Mix until fully combined.
- Using a piping bag (or resealable bag with a corner cut off), decorate the brownie trees and top with sprinkles or candy.
- If desired, add a trunk by sticking a candy cane stick into the base of each brownie tree.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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